Russian Ambassador Assassinated in Turkey

Russian Ambassador Murdered During Art Exhibition

Russian Ambassador Andrey Karlov was assassinated as he talked to a group of people, during an art exhibition, in Ankara, Turkey. Burhan Ozbillici, an Associated Press photographer said, “I heard shots, very loud – bam, bam, bam.The people standing in front they disappeared. They threw themselves on the floor. They were trying to hide, to take shelter. I was shocked…afraid…not panicked.” Ozbillici described the ambassador, “He was very soft, calm, a very natural man. Not a diplomat we usually see.”

The photographer moved to the back of the showroom. He semi-secluded himself behind a wall. He observed the shooter as he walked around the ambassador’s body, describing him as agitated as he ripped several of the photographs on display off of the wall. He said, “The ambassador was lying on the ground – not moving. And the shooter was making a politically motivated speech. Some people were screaming, crying, so I could not hear well.”

Mevlut Mert Altintas has been determined to be the murderer. He continually shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo,” after he murdered the ambassador. The gunman was identified as a police officer. He was later killed by special forces. Russian president Vladimir Putin said the incident was, “Provocation aimed at sabotaging Russo-Turkish relations.”